Fashion as a Form of Resistance Against Trump

Fashion isn’t just functional — it’s transformative. It can be a form of political speech, like when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made headlines in a white gown emblazoned with “Tax the Rich.” It can also be a statement of resistance, as when the Black Panthers adopted black berets, a uniform that came to symbolize unity and power. Understanding the language of fashion is key to understanding the times we live in. It’s a translator for anyone trying to navigate this moment and one of the ten steps to reclaiming freedom and power as we challenge norms and assert our identity. Those of us who are pro-democracy may one day need to show who we are just as clearly. What we wear might matter more than we think. This week on Assembly Required, Stacey is joined by fashion editor and Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Robin Givhan. She breaks down how fashion reflects our culture back to us and what that reflection reveals about the political moment we’re in. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: If you enjoyed my conversation with Robin, pick up her latest book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh. Solve Problems: Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills — the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes every single second. To help reduce waste, be mindful of your clothing consumption and shopping habits. Before clicking “buy” on that fast fashion site for the latest trend at the cheapest price, ask yourself: Do I really need this? Can I buy it from a sustainable source? Can I thrift something similar instead? Do Good: If you have old clothes or have been meaning to clean out your closet, don’t throw them away. Instead, consider donating them to those in need. Goodwill, your place of worship, or local homeless shelters are great places to start. CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS ACORNS: https://www.acorns.com/assembly MOSH: https://www.moshlife.com/ASSEMBLY BILT REWARDS: https://www.joinbilt.com/ASSEMBLY CHAPTERS 0:00 - Fashion is Political Speech 5:37 - How can Identity Shape Our World? 9:52 - Political Resistance in Fashion 13:52 - Ad Break 18:17 - The History of Fashion in Protest 22:34 - What Zelensky’s Outfit Says About His Politics 25:39 - The Fashion of Donald Trump 34:53 - How Fascism Overtakes Cultures 46:17 - Ad Break 47:37 - Sexism in Fashion and Politics 59:50 - Stacey’s Toolkit Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at crookedcon.com Subscribe to our channel! Photos courtesy of AP Photo Archive Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. At a time when it’s increasingly easy to feel cynical or hopeless, former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor have created a place where people can have sane conversations that inform, entertain, and inspire action. In 2017 they started Crooked with Pod Save America—a no-bullshit conversation about politics. Since then, we continue to add shows, voices, and opportunities for activism, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world. That’s it. End of mission. Want some pep talks, the most important things to do/know, and the occasional dog pic? Shoot us a text at (323) 405-9944 Written content at http://www.crooked.com Follow Crooked on Twitter   / crookedmedia   Follow Crooked on Facebook   / crookedmedia   Follow Crooked on Instagram   / crookedmedia